ignation. Then he added in
a rather crestfallen tone, "But I am a heap older 'n I was when I had
that daguerreotype took. See here; if I send that Nantucket woman this
picture won't she notice the difference when she sees me?"

"What if she does?" broke in Captain Perez. "You can tell her how 'twas.
Talk her over. A feller that's been married, like you, ought to be able
to talk ANY woman over."

Captain Jerry didn't appear sanguine concerning his ability to "talk her
over," but his fellow-conspirators made light of his feeble objections,
and the daguerreotype, carefully wrapped, was mailed the next morning,
accompanied by a brief biographical sketch of the original and his
avowed adherence to the Baptist creed and the Good Templar's abstinence.

"I hope she'll hurry up and answer," said the impatient Captain Perez.
"I want to get this thing settled one way or another. Don't you, Jerry?"

"Yes," was the hesitating reply. "One way or another."

Captain Eri had seen John Baxter several times since the evening of
the "Come-Outers'" meeting. The old man was calmer apparently, and was
disposed to take the billiard-saloon matter less seriously, particularly
as it was reported that the town selectmen were to hold a special
meeting to consider the question of allowing Mr. Saunders to continue in
business. The last-named gentleman had given what he was pleased to call
a "blow-out" to his regular patrons in celebration of the granting of
the license, and "Squealer" Wixon and one or two more spent a dreary day
and night in the town lock-up in consequence. Baxter told the Captain
that he had not yet made up his mind concerning the proposed Boston
trip, but he thought "more 'n likely" he should go.

Captain Eri was obliged to be content with this assurance, but he
determined to keep a close watch on his friend just the same.

He had met Ralph Hazeltine once or twice since the latter's arrival in
Orham, and, in response to questions as to how he was getting on at the
station, the new electrician invariably responded, "First-rate." Gossip,
however, in the person of Miss Busteed, reported that the operators were
doing their best to keep Mr. Hazeltine's lot from being altogether a bed
of roses, and there were dark hints of something more to come.

On the morning following the receipt of the letter from the Nantucket
lady, Captain Eri was busy at his fish shanty, putting his lines in
order and sewing a patch on the mainsail of his